Burning Ties

Chapter Twenty-One

Carmine's POV

It all happened so fast. One second, it was just me, Iris, Zayna and Slater who were left in the game.

The next, Zayna was shot, then down went Slater because he refused to shoot Iris, and he chose to just lay on the ground and call it quits. I'd been about to betray and shoot Iris, when someone suddenly shot me instead.

My body hits the ground with a thud, leaving Iris standing over me and cackling like a maniac.

There, in all his glory, stands Leandro with a smirk on his face. Slater, the weakling, also stands up and smirks right back at Iris and Leandro.

... Did he know about the betrayal?

As much as my heart hurts because Iris betrayed me, and cheated by involving Leandro, since there are no actual rules of the game, I can't help but feel just a little bit proud.

I don't know why I haven't passed out from being shot with that stupid stun gun like everyone else has, but, I can't move my body so there's that, at least.

"You really thought you'd be able to betray me? Me? Your wonderful sister?" Iris asks me, smiling condescendingly at me.

"He did, Leggro," Leandro hums, narrowing his eyes at me. "that's why I'll always be your favourite. 'Cause I won't betray you."

"You're an opportunist." Iris laughs.

"Damn right I am. This was my chance to prove that I'd never just leave you to fend for yourself, even if it seems like I might."

"Thats sweet, Leo. And Slater?"

"Yeah?" The weakling asks.

"Thanks for not shooting me."

"You're welcome." Slater winks.

"Did you just wink at my sister?" Leandro asks, his voice cold.

"Maybe?"

"I'm giving you a three second head start. Run." Leandro orders, counting to three, and I hear Slater's footsteps, indicating that he did, in fact run.

"You're not allowed to chase him." Iris says.

"Says who?"

"Me."

"Fine." Leandro huffs, stomping away in the other direction.

"He's such a child, Carmine, you won't behave like that, will you?" Iris pauses. "Oh, wait, you can't talk just yet. Sucks for you, huh? I told Leo to shock you on the lowest setting, so you should be able to move in like ten more minutes, and the others will be awake in another half hour. Weak rats."

True to her words, thirty five minutes later, the last of us make our way into the house, groaning about the horrible pain we feel after being shot while Iris laughs at us.

Does it feel horrible knowing I lost to her when she hasn't even shot a gun before? Yes, I do. Do I wish she'd lost, also yes. Do I wish I'd shot her, yes. Will I shoot her? No. Mainly because Leandro would probably put an actual bullet through my skull if I did, but also because somehow, it looks like she's managed to get Slater on her team.